To link to the entire object, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed the entire object, paste this HTML in websiteTo link to this page, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed this page, paste this HTML in website

Funding for a portion of this collection came from a Local History Digital Resource Project grant . The Local History Digital Resource Project is supported by the U. S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian. For more information, please visit: http://www.califa.org/lhdrp.php

Funding for a portion of this collection came from a Local History Digital Resource Project grant . The Local History Digital Resource Project is supported by the U. S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian. For more information, please visit: http://www.califa.org/lhdrp.php

Transcription

WELFARE PLANNING COUNCIL, LOS ANGELES REGION October 24, 1961 Welfare Planning in Los Angeles Early History In 1850, when California was admitted to the Union, the little pueblo of Los Angeles, with a population of 1,600, was characterized by lawlessnes and violence; marauding Indian tribes; epidemics; droughts; and floods. Fam-ilies needing help were segregated on ""Charity Street"" now North Spring Street. The poor were helped with ""bread, money and wine"" from the generosity of individual citizens. The year 1854 marked the establishment of the first organized charity, the Hebrew Benevolent Society, whose aim was to ""alleviate want, not only of Jews but of other creeds as well."" Two years later, the Sisters of Charity arrived in Los Angeles, after a perilous five months' journey from New York, to care for orphan children. In the succeeding years, the increase in population brought radical changes to the structure of the community. The first hospital, now known as St. Vincent's, was established. The Public Library was organized, the first railroad was incorporated, and the first bank opened. THe Hebrew Ladies Benevolent Society was the original central charity bureau and served in that capacity until 1893 when the Associated Charities was established to ""secure cooperation among the different charities of Los Angeles, to pre-vent pauperism, promote thrift and relieve the worthy poor."" In 1898, the first municipal nurse was employed by the City of Los Angeles - in fact, the first in the United States. The first attempt to approach the idea of a council of social agencies for social planning for the whole